Lexus has unveiled two unusual art cars created with Brooklyn-based conceptual art collective MSCHF, transforming an RZ 450e and RX 450h+ into sculptures designed to create the visual impression of movement while standing still.
The two-vehicle collection, called Motomorphosis, takes the familiar shapes of the Lexus SUVs and stretches, twists and reshapes them into forms that look more like optical illusions than conventional automobiles.
MSCHF Twists the Lexus RX and RZ
The RX 450h+ becomes what MSCHF calls the Twisted Car. The artwork depicts the SUV as though its body and windows could be curled longitudinally without tearing the vehicle apart.
The RZ 450e receives an even more unusual treatment. Called the Circle Car, the sculpture stretches the SUV into a ring, bringing its nose close to its tail and creating the appearance that the vehicle is driving in an infinite loop.
In photographs, the Circle Car has the appearance of an optical illusion. The sides of the RZ seem to disappear, while the added panels largely conceal the seams created during the transformation.
Although the sculptures can resemble digital creations, they are real-world artworks. The production versions of both SUVs are displayed alongside the sculptures, allowing potential Lexus buyers to see the electrified models in their original forms.
“Working with MSCHF allowed us to take the automobile beyond its familiar form and explore movement, transformation and possibility in an entirely new way,” said Lisa McQueen, senior manager of Lexus marketing.
Could Motomorphosis Influence Lexus Design?
The extreme forms created for Motomorphosis are unlikely to appear as production vehicles, but Lexus has introduced several new or significantly updated models during a busy year for the brand.
The Lexus TZ is on the way for buyers seeking a luxurious, three-row family hauler with a fully electric powertrain. The large EV offers at least 300 miles of range with the larger 95.8-kilowatt-hour battery pack, while dual electric motors, one for each axle, provide all-wheel drive.
The TZ also features an unusual cabin detail: speakers play the sound of the Lexus LFA’s V10 engine when the SUV accelerates.
Lexus has also refreshed the NX, giving it a mildly updated exterior with split headlights and a rear LED bar. Inside, the SUV features a 12.3-inch instrument cluster and a 14-inch infotainment screen, along with an updated hybrid powertrain and a more compact rear axle module.
After unveiling the new Lexus ES in 2025, the company announced the specifications for the 2026 ES 350h this year. The sedan delivers up to 46 miles per gallon combined fuel economy and produces a total of 244 horsepower.
The 2026 ES 350h is also designed for a quiet cabin, using microfiber sound-absorbing material in the air intake, a more vibration-resistant exhaust, laminated side glass and Active Noise Control.
The Inspiration Behind Lexus Motomorphosis
While Lexus is not expected to build a production vehicle that appears to chase its own tail, the company has a history of daring design language. The Motomorphosis sculptures take that idea to an extreme while exploring the concept of evoking motion from a vehicle that is standing still.
That idea has long been present in the automotive art world, where artists have used cars as canvases and transformed them in ways ranging from elaborate paintwork to full-scale sculptures.
The Wild World of Art Cars
Art cars can take many forms. Some involve colorful paintwork, while others radically alter the vehicle itself. One example is a Cadillac encased in concrete by artist Wolf Vostell after it was commissioned by the Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art in 1970.
A Pagani Zonda pictured above was created from more than 100,000 coins. Argentine artist Joaquin Arbiza confirmed that no real Zonda was harmed during its creation.
Porsche has also produced notable art cars. Daniel Arsham’s “Crystal-eroded 911” remains a driveable piece of art after being embedded with three-dimensional crystals in its doors, fenders and other areas.
BMW’s art cars are among the best-known examples, with 20 vehicles that go on tour around the world. The Lexus Motomorphosis sculptures add another unusual entry to that long-running intersection of automobiles and contemporary art.
